Armenian Rad Cross Society and UNDP in Armenia teamed up to organize a two day training on climate change related challenges and their coverage by media in Yerevan in the scope of the UNDP-EU “Clima East Pilot Project” and ARCS “Climate Forum East Project”.
From 2 to 3 July 2014 some 15 journalists representing republican and regional mass media from Yerevan, Gegharkunik and Vayots Dzor regions of Armenia enhanced their knowledge on climate change and environmental challenges, such as climate change impacts in Armenia, climate change mitigation and adaptation, frequently used concepts and terms on climate change etc. Film watching, group works and prepared presentations covered variety of issues related to the CC and its impact, for instance global warming, extreme climate events, water resources vulnerability, forests vulnerability and agriculture vulnerability. Representatives from environmental NGOs sector also attended the training. Main experts were Aram Gabrielyan, UNFCCC National Focal point and Mari Chakryan, Armenian Aarhus Centers Press Officer.
Alongside with explanation and discussion of these topics, the media and environmental experts put an emphasis on how journalists can present climate change and environmental challenges in a user friendly and simple, but informative language to the general public by the means of both traditional and alternative media sources. Moreover, media can support ongoing efforts of environmental projects by presenting knowledge grounded and qualified information to the public and raise awareness on some of the “burning themes”.
Objectives and activities of the Clima East Pilot Project in Armenia (funded by the European union - EU and co-funded/implemented by the UNDP) and Climate Forum East Project (funded by the European Union, Austrian Development Cooperation, Austrian Red Cross and WWF, and implemented by the Armenian Red Cross Society) were also presented and discussed.
